Content
Gardeners like Fiesta broccoli because it is undemanding to growing conditions and frost-resistant. The mid-early variety from the collection of the Dutch company Bejo Zaden is propagated by seedlings or direct sowing of seeds into the soil.
Hybrid broccoli Fiesta is very similar to cauliflower, differing slightly in shape, size and color of the head
Description of broccoli Fiesta F1
The plant creates a rosette of leaves tending upward. The blue-green leaf blades are long, 25-35 cm, wavy, slightly dissected, with intricately curving edges, and a corrugated, bubble-like surface. A waxy bluish coating is noticeable on the top of the leaf blades. The height of the Fiesta hybrid reaches 90 cm along the length of the leaves. The stalk is of medium size, characteristic of other representatives of different varieties of cabbage. The root system consists of a powerful central core and numerous small shoots that supply the plant with food and are located close to the surface.
The head of Fiesta cabbage begins to form after 16-20 leaves have grown.The slightly flattened rounded top is formed from dense, succulent stem shoots collected in bunches, very small, growing from the stalk, numbering from 500 to 2000 thousand. The head of broccoli Fiesta F1 is up to 12-15 cm in diameter, strong, like cauliflower. The lumpy surface is rich green in color with a slightly bluish-turquoise tint. Head weight up to 0.4-0.8 kg. If all the rules of agricultural technology are followed on fertile soil, the weight of a head of Fiesta F1 cabbage reaches 1.5 kg.
The lateral leaves partially cover the head. This factor slightly increases the hybrid’s resistance to drought, since broccoli does not tolerate intense heat well, becoming lethargic and quickly forming flower stalks without sufficient watering and shading. The Fiesta hybrid differs from other varieties in that it does not form side shoots. Sometimes they appear with sufficient watering and good care after cutting the head. The optimal temperature for growing broccoli is 18-24 °C. Prolonged rainfall, characteristic of some regions of the central zone of the country, contributes to the cultivation of this variety. Even young broccoli seedlings can withstand temperatures as low as minus 10 °C.
Advantages and disadvantages
Broccoli Fiesta is considered a valuable variety of cabbage due to its characteristics:
- high taste and dietary properties;
- good commercial performance;
- versatility;
- productivity, keeping quality and transportability;
- unpretentiousness;
- frost resistance;
- resistance to fusarium.
Gardeners also name disadvantages:
- side shoots do not grow;
- short time to collect heads.
Fiesta cabbage yield
Broccoli hybrid Fiesta is medium-yielding – from 1 sq. m harvest from 2.5 to 3.5 kg. With good care, timely watering and fertilizing, the yield rises to 4.4 kg. Cabbage is grown in private plots and farm enterprises.
On fertile soils, when large heads are formed, the stalks are hilled for stability.
Planting and caring for Fiesta broccoli cabbage
Broccoli is grown through seedlings or direct sowing in a permanent place. Before planting seeds in separate pots:
- disinfect;
- treated in a growth stimulator according to the instructions for the drug;
- germinate on wet wipes for 2-3 days;
- then carefully place them into the substrate using tweezers in separate containers or into peat tablets.
For the substrate, mix garden soil, compost or humus, sand, and a little wood ash, as a universal fertilizer for cabbage. Loose, light soil will allow water to flow into the pan, which is especially important when growing cabbage seedlings, which are often susceptible to blackleg disease due to waterlogged soil.
Fiesta broccoli seeds are planted in containers or in a permanent place from the beginning of April in different regions. After 26-30 days, seedlings 15-23 cm high with 5-8 leaves are moved to the site, usually at the end of April or May, until June. If sown in open ground in early spring, the seedlings are covered due to the activity of the cabbage flea beetle.
Cabbage is grown in a spacious sunny area with slightly dense soil.Suitable soils are slightly acidic, neutral or alkaline:
- sandy loam;
- loams;
- clayey;
- chernozems.
The holes are divided at a distance of 50 cm. For sowing directly into the ground, use 3-4 grains in one hole to a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Then weak shoots are removed or planted. Add 2 tablespoons of wood ash and a handful of humus to the hole. The stem is deepened only to the first leaves.
For a continuous harvest conveyor, broccoli is sown every 10 days. When sown at the end of May or June, cabbage seedlings remain undamaged by the cruciferous flea beetle, which emerges in early spring. Broccoli can bear fruit until the first frost at the end of September or October, just in time for this period.
Broccoli Fiesta F1 is responsive to abundant watering and fertilizing. The moisture-loving crop requires constantly moist soil. Cabbage is watered 2-3 times a week depending on the frequency of precipitation, although the hybrid grows in short-term drought conditions and tolerates extreme heat. Sprinkling is carried out in the evening. To retain moisture in the soil, the area with broccoli is mulched, at the same time blocking the growth of weeds.
The most effective feeding of Fiesta broccoli during the periods:
- 3 weeks after planting, using organic matter, green infusion;
- at the moment of formation of the head, using 20 g of ammonium nitrate or 40 g of potassium nitrate per 10 liters of water, dry wood ash;
- During the filling period, the heads are fed with a solution of 50 g of superphosphate in a bucket of water, 12-15 days before the start of fruiting.
After feeding, the area is watered abundantly.
Broccoli is practically not grown in a greenhouse, because it bears fruit well in open ground.
Diseases and pests
Cabbage is affected by fungal diseases, except fusarium, which prevent and treat:
- prevention, starting with seed treatment;
- using Fitosporin, Baktofit or fungicides.
At the seedling stage in open ground, insecticides are used against flea beetles. Broccoli is pestered by cabbage fly and leaf-eating caterpillars of various insects, against which only insecticides are effective. Frequent sprinkling is used to control aphids.
Application
Broccoli is stored in refrigeration for 2 months, in a room for a week. Frozen product is also useful. Fresh salads, soups, purees, stews are prepared from vegetables rich in protein and vitamins, but low in fiber, or simply fried in oil.
Conclusion
Fiesta broccoli is unassuming and adapts to different growing conditions - high humidity, cool weather or short-term drought. The heads are collected within a week, otherwise the density is lost and the flower stalks begin to bloom, which worsens the taste.
